Current Roster, Positions, Depth

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howeda7 said:
They played their best basketball last year when JCJ was healthy and playing the 5. Niko seems to value having 5 guys who can shoot over having a true center.

I don't see Grayson or Kordel starting at center. I could see Kordel starting or at least playing a lot in certain games, but he seems too raw to be an every game starter.

I think Anderson might be a more polished player than Tomes, but we don't have a back-up PG besides him. And I don't think they'd want him to go from red-shirting to starting. The 3/4 spot is a lot more crowded.
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Niko said several times that JCJ was playing out of position starting at the 5 last year. I think the chance of him starting there are near zero. Kordel will likely be the starting C.

The backup PG is Asuma.
 


I've been a bit out of pocket lately, so it may have been mentioned, but one thing I love about all these adds (beyond potential) is:

All played for winning programs:

Evans: NCAA 1st round
Palmer: NCAA 1st round
Groves: NCAA 2nd round
Grady/Kordel: Champs

I get that not all of them are proven contributors, but all the guys come from programs with high expectations. I really prefer this to getting a decent player from a bad program who's used to tolerating losing.
 


FinnGopher said:
I am so glad no one on the GH is the Head Coach. The assertions of who will or will not start are born out of ignorance.
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I feel like the assumptions that JCJ, Evans and Asuma are highly likely to start and Durkin is going to play a huge role either as a starter or off the bench are all pretty safe.

But yeah, beyond that there is a ton of guesswork going on but that is what the off season is for. Hopefully everyone is healthy which will lead to great competition and the guys that earn the playing time will get it.
 


MNVCGUY said:
I feel like the assumptions that JCJ, Evans and Asuma are highly likely to start and Durkin is going to play a huge role either as a starter or off the bench are all pretty safe.

But yeah, beyond that there is a ton of guesswork going on but that is what the off season is for. Hopefully everyone is healthy which will lead to great competition and the guys that earn the playing time will get it.
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I think it is huge that as the guys practice they will be facing players of equal ability all summer and fall. Add to that we have Niko system veterans in place to lead the way on the system and the culture.

We needed to add size, shooting, depth and athleticism to improve on last year. The only one of those that seems unsure is the athleticism. This is going to be a lot of fun to watch.
 

People on here care about who starts as if it matters. Injuries, redshirts (if eligibility rules don't change) you need depth. Naz Reid doesn't start but gets plenty of minutes. Bobby Durkin for example will be better coming off the bench.
 

Compared to last season, we have lots of forwards and depth everywhere. The potential above average defenders: Asuma, Palmer, and JCJ. Palmer will play more than people realize. 6-6 215 and built. We added size, depth, shooting. We went about even on athleticism. I am not sold on whether Durkin can guard SF spot. Grove can definitely play the 4, actually better than him at the 5. Evans and Asuma will be the primary pg's. Unknowns at the college level: Kordel, Grady, Groves, Myopi, Anderson, Tomes.

Starting 5 to begin the season:
G Evans and Asuma
F Durkin and JCJ
C Grove
Bench:
Palmer
Groves
Kordel
Grady
Anderson

By Christmas: (I have the 3 best defenders)
G Evans and Asuma
F Palmer and JCJ
C Kordel
Bench: tons of scoring and shooting here.
Durkin
Grady
Groves
Grove
Anderson
 

minnyrules11 said:
People on here care about who starts as if it matters. Injuries, redshirts (if eligibility rules don't change) you need depth. Naz Reid doesn't start but gets plenty of minutes. Bobby Durkin for example will be better coming off the bench.
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Being a starter does matter....typically your top guys are going to be rewarded with that honor but yeah, in general people can get a little too hung up on who is starting vs. coming off the bench.

In the end it comes down to minutes played and who is out there at crunch time. That is way more important then who was on the court for the opening tip off.
 



combes1 said:
No coach is going to keep 13 players happy, at least as far as playing time. No matter how much depth it seems like you have, almost all coaches will roll with a 8-9 man rotation.
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I know. That's why I'm a bit surprised they added a 13th non practice player. Not that I'm complaining. As long as it doesn't lead to malcontents.
 

MNVCGUY said:
Being a starter does matter....typically your top guys are going to be rewarded with that honor but yeah, in general people can get a little too hung up on who is starting vs. coming off the bench.

In the end it comes down to minutes played and who is out there at crunch time. That is way more important then who was on the court for the opening tip off.
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I agree with your last paragraph 100%. These are professional athletes now so not sure on the honor thing. I do believe 9 or 10 players will consistently play so the keep 13 guys happy is not out of the realm of possibility with injuries etc. Every portal transfer in and returning player knew with last years health that you are going have a full roster to compete with for playing time.
 


GopherWeatherGuy said:
Niko said several times that JCJ was playing out of position starting at the 5 last year. I think the chance of him starting there are near zero. Kordel will likely be the starting C.

The backup PG is Asuma.
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I haven't heard him say that, but if so, you could be right. Still he could have started Grove or Turner at the 5 after Viohola went down and he chose not to.

Grove was great off the bench, but I don't really see starting him over Winters or Palmer. And Kordel who knows but he really hasn't played much basketball yet and seems quite raw. Maybe he starts by B1G play but I'd be kind of surprised if he does in game 1.
 



howeda7 said:
I know Asuma can, but it's better to have a real back-up and prepare him for 2027.
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Asuma is more of a pure pg then Evans. Evans is the better shooter. Evans is much skinnier and will have trouble on some switches. I'm not sure Niko needs a pure pg. Now if we could get a super fast pg, one who could penetrate and set others up, that would be superb!

Asuma 3.7 assists per 2.2 turnovers.

Evans last year 2.5 ass, 1.1 turnovers.
At CSU, 3.1 ass to 2.4 turnovers.

It's too bad Niko used up Evans year 1 at CSU with 36 games played, and just 8 min per game. It would be nice to have him for 2 years.

Tomes, Mr. polarity, was a shoot first volume scorer in high school. He can get by people, has a yoyo like handle, and can find others. But he isn't fast, just has great start, stop, and change of speed, driving ability.
 

march madness said:
Compared to last season, we have lots of forwards and depth everywhere. The potential above average defenders: Asuma, Palmer, and JCJ. Palmer will play more than people realize. 6-6 215 and built. We added size, depth, shooting. We went about even on athleticism. I am not sold on whether Durkin can guard SF spot. Grove can definitely play the 4, actually better than him at the 5. Evans and Asuma will be the primary pg's. Unknowns at the college level: Kordel, Grady, Groves, Myopi, Anderson, Tomes.

Starting 5 to begin the season:
G Evans and Asuma
F Durkin and JCJ
C Grove
Bench:
Palmer
Groves
Kordel
Grady
Anderson

By Christmas: (I have the 3 best defenders)
G Evans and Asuma
F Palmer and JCJ
C Kordel
Bench: tons of scoring and shooting here.
Durkin
Grady
Groves
Grove
Anderson
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What I like about the Palmer addition, is that, at least to begin the season, there are more experienced players for a rotation. As you point out, the starting lineup and rotation will likely vary as the young guys gain experience and all the new comers learn Niko's system. We saw a lot of growth from players last year. I hope that continues each year: year-to-year and within a season.
 

bga1 said:
I think it is huge that as the guys practice they will be facing players of equal ability all summer and fall. Add to that we have Niko system veterans in place to lead the way on the system and the culture.

We needed to add size, shooting, depth and athleticism to improve on last year. The only one of those that seems unsure is the athleticism. This is going to be a lot of fun to watch.
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I agree with you completely, and believe we can expect the team to start much more strongly in the non-conference. Far less acclimation to the system across the roster and far more players accustomed to the level of play.
 


FinnGopher said:
I am so glad no one on the GH is the Head Coach. The assertions of who will or will not start are born out of ignorance.
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C'mon, every game I'm shouting really smart coaching related things at the TV like "shoot it", "make it", and "play defense". If I were coach we'd be the best offensive and defensive team in the country.
 


GophersInIowa said:
C'mon, every game I'm shouting really smart coaching related things at the TV like "shoot it", "make it", and "play defense". If I were coach we'd be the best offensive and defensive team in the country.
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What do you shout at Grayson Grove when he shoots free-throws? It's not working.
 


bga1 said:
I think it is huge that as the guys practice they will be facing players of equal ability all summer and fall. Add to that we have Niko system veterans in place to lead the way on the system and the culture.

We needed to add size, shooting, depth and athleticism to improve on last year. The only one of those that seems unsure is the athleticism. This is going to be a lot of fun to watch.
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I agree on the need assessment and the result. A team like MN doesn’t usually get all of the above and has to give up one. If Niko has the choice between a super athletic guy who doesn’t shoot well or a good shooter who is not so athletic, he takes the shooter. And I agree with that. So many Gopher teams of the past many years had guys that could win you a slam dunk contest, but not a basketball game.
 



howeda7 said:
What do you shout at Grayson Grove when he shoots free-throws? It's not working.
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Come on Grayson, nothing but the bottom of the net. Just net, swish.

Some guy used to yell that to Randy Foye every time he was at the line. (at least at the one game I was there for)
 

MaxyJR1 said:
I'm guessing Groves and Grove off the bench. Possibly Durkin is off the bench like he was to start the season before all the injuries.

Starters: Evans, Asuma, Palmer, JCJ, Kordel.

Bench of Durkin and Grove with Groves/Shinholster/Winter/Anderson all contributing.

Tomes is a wildcard.
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Makes sense to me! I like it.
 


howeda7 said:
I haven't heard him say that, but if so, you could be right. Still he could have started Grove or Turner at the 5 after Viohola went down and he chose not to.

Grove was great off the bench, but I don't really see starting him over Winters or Palmer. And Kordel who knows but he really hasn't played much basketball yet and seems quite raw. Maybe he starts by B1G play but I'd be kind of surprised if he does in game 1.
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It was pretty obvious Turner was never going to get a chance for whatever reasons Niko didn't disclose. Could have been out of shape, off court issues, whatever.

Grove is not a 5 either. He's a solid backup 4. But I'm sure we'll see plenty of Grove and JCJ playing together in the front court. At minimum Kordel is a massive 7-2 defensive presence at 22 years old. Despite inexperience, he's physically ready to start. I'm sure playing time was a selling point to get him to sign here.

I would not be surprised to see Durkin come off the bench with Grady or Palmer starting. I think Grady or Palmer have the best chance of taking a giant leap and filling Tyson's role.

My guess at the starting lineup/rotation is very similar to what @march madness posted above. I just don't think it'll take until Christmas to get there.

Starters
Evans
Asuma
Palmer
JCJ
Kordel

Bench
Durkin
Grady
Grove
Groves
Anderson
Mpoyi
Tomes
 



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